Vacation is exciting, and coming home to a safe and secure home, just the way you left it, is exciting too! It’s essential to protect your home while you’re away. By taking the right steps before you leave, you can help ensure your property is secure and ready for your return. Here are five easy steps to protect your home before going on vacation.
- Secure Your Home
Before you leave, make sure all windows and doors are locked and secure. Install deadbolts if necessary, and use security bars on sliding doors. You can also consider installing a smart connected home security system that can be professionally monitored and that you can monitor remotely on a phone or tablet.
- Make it Look Like Someone is Home
A home that looks unoccupied is a tempting target for burglars and mischief seekers. If your home utilizes connected smart home technology, you can set your household lighting on scheduled routines so that it creates the illusion that someone is home. If you don’t have smart home technology, you can use timers for electronics such as lamps, radios, and televisions to create the illusion that someone is home. Set them to turn on and off at random times throughout the day.
- Ask a Neighbor, Family, or Friend to Stay at Your Home / Keep an Eye Out
Let a trusted neighbor know you’ll be away and ask them to keep an eye out for anything unusual. They can also collect your mail or newspapers, which can pile up if left untouched for several days. You can also opt to select delayed delivery of mail with USPS on their website. If a trusted friend or family member can stay at your home, all the better, while you’re away, it’s an excellent way to keep your property safe.
- Don’t Broadcast Your Vacation Plans
Avoid posting your vacation plans on social media or telling people that are not trusted friends the details of your trip. You don’t want to advertise that your home will be empty for an extended period. Share your vacation plans only with trusted family and friends.
- Keep Your Lawn and Garden Maintained
An overgrown lawn or garden can indicate that no one is home. Ask a lawn care service, a family member, or neighbor to keep your lawn trimmed, and arrange for someone to water your plants while you’re away.
Conclusion
Taking steps to protect your home before vacation can give you peace of mind, prevent “after vacation shock,” and potential costly break-in damage. By following these five easy steps, you can enjoy your time away and return to the safe and secure home you know and love.
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Contact Connect Smart Systems at: (352) 575-1327